Replacing the PCB of a WD harddrive

[spacinbn]

Well, I recently purchased an external enclosure for my Western Digital WD2000JB. Inserted it into the enclosure, plugged everything in and turned it on. Smoke appeared.

The enclosure must have had a short or something and it fried my drive. I'm pretty pissed off but i highly doubt vantec will do anything about it; although i am going to try.

But regardless, i would really like to get the data off the drive still. So i'm wondering, does anyone know if it would be possible to simply remove the Controller / PCB of the harddrive, and replace it with one from another identical harddrive. Or even if another western digital harddrives PCB would suffice?

Better still, anyone know a screwdriver that will take those pesky proprietary screws out holding the pcb in place?

Any tips and/or advice is greatly appreacited.

Regards,

Brad.

 

[edfair]

There are people that have done this and had the repaired drive work. And some that have tried and still ended up with a pile of junk.

You may not be able to find the correct screwdriver tip. I've had success using a flat blade screwdriver that has been ground down on the sides to a wedge shape that will start into the torx enough that it will grab.
Specialized products at one time had some kits for hard drive repair but don't know if they are still in the product line.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[satrow]

I've been successful swapping out Fujitsu 10, 20 and 30GB boards and once a Seagate SCSI board - yet to fail (you do need the same drive to swap-out) - but I had, in each scenario, worked out that the board was at fault, not the mechanics.

The only WD drive I have to hand (40GB WD400 - died last night)has tiny 'star' sockets - visit your local hardware store or visit an online shop for bits/drivers.

Andy.

 

[spacinbn]

Hey guys,

thanks for the advice. I have found the proper screwdriver to get access to the pcb, but it looks like i'll have to buy a brand new WD2000JB drive to get the PCB out of it. But it's worth it.

cross your fingers and hope it works

Brad.

 

[stevet3]

Well if anybody has some tips on swapping a WD800 would be great. Im am looking for the bit and working drive to open it up as well. When I power on the drive I can hear the disk platters spining but I hear the head/moter trying to access the disk. The drive makes a light thump or heartbeat type of sound. Its not that hard knock like the heads are hitting the side of the drive enclosure..but allmost like the motor that moves the heads is bad/stuck or something that is controlling it.. Any thoughts

 

[xtine03]

any success with swapping the PCB? i'm having the same issue and was wondering if this works.

thanks,
xtine

 

[dbData]

Unless the screws have changed in the past several months, that's a Torx number 8 bit/driver.

WD drives became real buggers to replace PCB's on 3-4 years ago. The best success is had when you get an exact replacement PCB (the exact same part number and revision). This is easier on older drive, harder with the new ones. They can generally be found in the after market drive business (used drives). Some of these dealers will be willing to check the PCB to match part nnumbers and revisions for you. Make sure you are specific about that when you place the order. Best advice is to send the order to them in wirting with the specs on the order.

More information is available at

http://www.data-recovery-hub.com.

Good Luck!
Rick

 

[HddGuru]

It's hard to find a good supplier willing to do all the leg work. Try

http://www.ultratec.co.uk/

and do a stock search for PCB or whole drive.. If your still stuck they have an online sales agent who I am sure will be able to help :O)

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